Miami Marlins: Three non-Giancarlo Stanton things to know

The Miami Marlins universe has been swallowed up by Giancarlo Stanton trade fever. But there is plenty going on elsewhere with the club.

When Derek Jeter took over the Miami Marlins, he said he wanted to build a winning culture. While the product on the field is what the fans see, professional baseball is a big show. For every player on the field, there are hundreds running around in the shadows.

That’s where winning culture is born. Jeter’s tenure doesn’t include any major personnel moves yet, but he’s already made key changes to the team. Tuesday was a particularly busy day in Miami Marlins baseball. It was as busy as could be without there being an actual trade.

Miami fans are getting a taste of what this offseason will be like; a painful slog on the wrong side of trade rumors. Here are some things to get your mind of losing 59 home runs in 2018.

Miami Marlins add former Mets bench coach Dick Scott

The Miami Marlins have spent the offseason loading up on New York Yankees front office people. This time, they cross the river and pilfer one out of Queens, NY.

Dick Scott’s Major League Baseball career wasn’t very impressive as a player, appearing in only three games for the Oakland A’s. But his career as a baseball executive and coach have been very successful. The Miami Marlins hired him to serve as their director of player development.

Scott will work under fellow newcomer Gary Denbo, who is entering his first year as vice president of player development.

According to Tim Healy of the Sun Sentinel, the two have worked together in the past; briefly for the Toronto Blue Jays where Denbo was a hitting coach, and Scott was running the farm system.

Albert Gonzalez out, Fernando Seguignol in

The Miami Marlins lost longtime executive and South Florida native Albert Gonzalez to the Kansas City Royals this week. Gonzalez worked in the Marlins organization for 12 years running the Dominican academy and scouting/player development efforts abroad.

His new job comes with a new title; Gonzalez is now the assistant GM of international operations.

But Miami didn’t waste any time finding his replacement. In fact, Gonzalez and Fernando Seguignol might have bumped into each other in the elevator. No surprise, Seguignol has New York ties, and connections to Gary Denbo.

Denbo and Seguignol worked together in Japan in 2004-05. Denbo was the hitting coach for the Nippon Ham Fighters while Seguignol was trying to keep his playing career alive.

James Needy wins AFL Pitcher of the Week

The Miami Marlins might be missing the blue-chip prospects that prognosticators drool over, but they appear to have plenty of depth. On Tuesday, Marlins pitcher James Needy was named Player of the Week for the Arizona Fall League.

Needy is a feel good story, and could prove to be a big boost for the Marlins if this is a sign of things to come. He struck out nine batters in only four innings, while allowing only two hits against the Scottsdale Scorpions. Nine strikeouts is a single game high anywhere in the AFL this year.

Needy wasn’t even signed to a team before the 2016. He was coming off an injury and pitching in Independent League Baseball before the Miami Marlins took a shot and signed him. He performed well in his first year back in professional baseball.

Needy was taken in the sixth round of the 2009 MLB Draft, and appeared ready to make his debut before getting hurt in 2015. He isn’t taking anything for granted now that he has another chance to make his dreams come true.

Next: Stanton winning MVP Award would make him difficult to trade

“I always have something to prove. Everyone does,” said the 26-year-old. “The Marlins took a chance on me out of indy ball coming back from that injury and I respect them for it, but that doesn’t mean they owe me anything. I owe them everything.”